A century separates us from the beginning of the global conflagration that would become known as the First World War, but there is still so much to learn from the people who were there. How easy is it to write about historical events when researchers allow the writing to be guided by first-hand accounts, which are voices of the past? What do they have to say to us?
Take these poignant examples, drawn from numerous different eyewitness accounts:
* 'We sailed, but we do not know that we shall reach the states. War clouds are hovering over Europe. Germany and France have just recalled their big steamers: will England?'
* 'We now are a cruiser and are slowly being painted grey, and as soon as they got word England was at war all lights were put out and to find your way you light matches.'
* 'At night the steamer crept along without a light showing. Even her green and red lights were off duty. Her windows were curtained. Her interior halls were dark. One groped to find one’s stateroom at night through gloomy passageways, colliding with shuddering stewards who spoke in whispers.'
* 'The best moment for sighting U-boats was said to be at night when they lay on the surface recharging their batteries, and theoretically visible two miles away.'
* 'Everyone at once said "She has struck a mine".'
* 'I ran to our cabin to retrieve our life jackets. I cannot say how I dared to retrieve them but I tucked money and jewels into my pockets but in moments like that one doesn’t have time to think. I remember that on leaving the cabin in the darkest gloom I was forced to move along on all fours until I could find my balance.'
* 'The pirates had actually fired a torpedo at her at a range of 100 yards, when they could distinctly see a large number of passengers and crew… on board. It was a dastardly thing to do - nothing but murder in cold blood.'
* 'There were forty nurses on board, and they were all in the water. A good many, I believe, were drowned. I know they brought eight into the mortuary of the hospital.'
* 'I wish you could have seen the welcome we got. Whistles blowing, ships coming out to meet us. On one ship was a band and the Welcome Board.'
These are but a few snippets of people telling their stories of what it was like to travel on the sea in those perilous times. The story of the First World War has been told from many angles, but Into the Danger Zone covers the little explored personal tales of individuals who braved sea crossings in waters infested with hazards, including the area known as the ‘danger zone’. This being the war zone designated by Germany, in which enemy vessels were liable to seizure or destruction. Step aboard the grandest ships of the age that included Lusitania, Olympic, Leviathan, Britannic, Mauretania as well as small, but reliable liners such as Laconia, Falaba, Persia, Cameronia and countless others. Read as the participants traversed the waters where U-boats and other dangers lurked below. Many previously unseen letters and diaries fill the pages from passengers, crew, troops, doctors and nurses. Complementing the text are newly discovered original photos of sinking ships, passport photos and ships’ ephemera. It is our hope that people gain a new appreciation of the subject and come away with new knowledge. If so, then we will have done our part to keep the memory of those affected by the First World War alive.
To find out more about the tales of those who attempted to cross the sea and what was to become their fate, check out Into the Danger Zone by Into the Danger Zone by Tad Fitch and Michael Poirier.